Method of making shoes



25- 1927; Oct L. E. TOPHAM METHOD OF MAKING snoss Filed Dec. 18, 1926 10 Sheets-Sheet 1,

bet. 25. 1927.

1,646,434 L. E. TOPHAM'. I

METHOD OF MAKING SHOES Filed Dec 18, 1926 10 Shets-Sheet 2v l 646 434 Oct. 25, 1927. L E. TO HAM 9 J METHOD OF MAKING SHOES Filed De c; 1a. 1926 10 Sheets-Sheet a min/e53 Fa; entvr w w MM M Oct. 25. 1927.

| E TOPHAM METHOD OF MAKING SHOES Filed Dec. 18, 1926 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 Oct. 25, 1927.

- L. E. TOPHAM METHOD OF MAKING saozs Filed Dec. 18, 1926 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 Oct. 25 1927.

' L. E. TOPHAM METHOD OF MAKING SHOES Filed Dec. 18, 1926 10 Sheets-Sheet 6 Oct. 25.1927. 1,646,434 I L. E. TOPHAM METHOD OF MAKING suoss I Filed Dec. 1a, 1926 1o Sheets-Sheet 7 1 O 1646 434- oct 927 L. E. TOPHAM METHOD OF MAKiNe s'aozs Filed Dec. 18 1926 '10 Sheets-Sheet a .F' 9 I Q Oct. 25, 1927. E TOPHAM METHOD OF MAKING SHOES Filed Dec. 18, 1926 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 L. E. TOPHAM METHOD OF MAKING SHOES 1o sheets-sheet 10 Filed Dec. 18, 1926 Oct. 25. 1927.

Patented Oct. 25, 1927.

UNITED STATES PA ENT' OFF! on,

LAURENCE E. TOrHAMQOF wnniraia, riAssAcnUsn'r rs, Assrenon To UNITED SHOE MACHINERY CORPORATION, OF rarnnson, new JERSEY, A CORPORATION or NEW JERSEY.

METHOD, OF MAKING SHOES.

Application filed December The present invention relates tocertain. operations which are performed progressively along the bottom margin of shoe while supported upon a last and more particularly to the operations which form and finish the sole edge. i l

The object of the invention is to facilitate the operations which form and finish the sole edge and enable these operations to be performed in an accurate and reliable man nor to produce satisfactory and uniform results without any special skill or care on the throughout the operation of the tools: The

sole edge is thus formed at the first operation and since-the relative tipping positioning movements are predetermined as to time, direct-ion and extent the edge surface will lie at the desired predetermined angle to the sole surface at all'parts of the shoe. During the second operation the working face of the setting tool is always maintained at an angle to the sole surface coinciding with the angle of the edge surface so that the entire edge surface is acted upon in a uniform manner and the finished edge is of predetermined shape and appearance. Preferably during each operation the shoe is guided and its position transversely'of the direction of feed is determined by the en gagement of a guiding device with an outline on the shoe so that the sole is trimmed to an exact predetermined outline and the edge setting tool isca-used to act uniformly along all parts of this outline.

The present invention contributes to the production of shoes uni form as to shapeand appearance and since the steps are such as are readilv carried out by the use of automatic machinery the invention makes possible a reduction in the cost of production and the elimination of errors incident to the use of manual labor.

The invention will be readily understood from the following description takenin connection with the: accompanying drawings in 18, 1926. Serial No. 155,625..

which are illustrated an automatic "edge trimming machine and an automatic edge setting machine which may be utilized in carrying out the several steps of the present invention;

e In the drawings Fig. 1' is view in front elevation of the edge trimming machine. 7

Fig.v 2isa View in side elevation of the machinelookingfrom the right. Fig .3 is a plan .view of-a portion of the machine. Fig. 4' is aview in side elevation of the trimming head of the machine. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4: illustrating certain of the parts in different positions. Fig. 6 lS'fl. detail plan view illustrating the jack supporting and actuating mechanism 'and certain associated parts. Fig; 7 is a detail plan view of a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. Figi 8 isa view inside elevation partly in section of aportion of the machine illustrating particularly the jack supporting and actuating mechanismsi- Fig. 9 is a view in side elevation ofthe head of the edge setting machine looking from the right. Fig. 10' is a View similar to-Fig. 9 with certain of theparts'in different positions; and Fig. ll is a detail View in: vertical section'of a portion of the head of the edge setting machine. i

The edge trimmingandedge setting niachines illustrated in the drawings are auto matic in their action and are designed to guide a shoe so as to cause the pointof operation t'o followian outline determined by an outline of the shoe. 1 As the point of operation is transferred around the shoe tipping positioning movements" are imparted to the. shoetocause a' sole edge to be formed during the edgetrimming operation the edge chine so as' to becapabl'e of being moved to transferthe point of operation around the shoe and to be tipped and turned to present the shoe in the desired manner to the tools. 'Asthe point of operation is transferred around the shoeetipping andturnin movements predetermined as to time an extent are imparted to the shoe through connections to the jack from a pattern cam shaft. Thev edge trimming machine is provided with two edge trimming cutters one adapted to operate upon the forepart of the sole and one adapted to operate upon the shank portion of the sole. The edge setting machine is also provided with two tools one of which is adapted to operate upon the forepart of the sole and the other upon the shank portion of the sole. The movement of the jack to transfer the pointof operation around the shoe as well as the tipping and turning movements are imparted to the aek through connections from the pattern cam shaft.

In order to permit the tools to be changed by the operator to bring either the forepart or the shank tool into operation means are provided in each machine for automatically stopping the pattern cam shaft when the point at the junction of the shank and forepart on each side of the shoe is reached. Also means are provided for automatically stopping the pattern cam shaft when the operation on the shoe is completed; To return the jack to its initial or starting position the operatormoves the shoe'away from the operating tools and then throws into operation mechanism which completes the rotation of the pattern cam shaft.

The edge trimming machine has the same general construction and mode of operation as the machine disclosed in applicants Pat"- ent No. 1,616,715,granted Feb. 8, 1927. The head of the edge setting machine is similar to that of the machine disclosed in applicants Patent No. 1,616,717 granted Feb. 8, 1927 The base of the edge setting machine, however, is similar to that of the edge trimming machine and for this reason has not been separately illustrated;

The edge trimming mechanism of the edge trimming machine, (see Figs. 4 and 5) comprises a rotary cutter shaft 12 mounted in an adjustable carriage 14; The cutter shaft is driven throughintermeshing spiral gears 16 and 18 from a horizontal shaft 20 which constitutes the main shaftof the edge trimming head. The main shaft 20 has bearings formed in the carriage 14 and is driven from an electric motor indicated at 22 secured to the carriage.

Uponthe lower end of the cutter shaft 12 are mounted acutter 24 for operating about the forepartof the shoe sole and a cutter 26 for operating along the shank. Upon the lower end of the shaft is'also mounted a yielding sleeve 28 arranged toslide longitudinally of the shaft and provided with projections extending between the blades of the cutter 24 for engagement with the sole of the shoe. I i

.To enable a shoe tobe locatedandheld in operating position with relation to the trimming cutters, the machine is provided with a work table 30 arranged to engage in the crease between the upper and projecting margin of the shoe sole. The work table is secured to anarm 32 on the frame and is arranged to extend in front of the cutter which i prevent the carriage 14 from turning with the ring 34 and to give certain movements to the cutter shaft during the adjustment of the ring, the carriage is connected with the frame by means of a link 38. Anoperating handle is secured to the supporting ring 34. i

When the edge trimming operation is startedalong the shank of the shoe, the ring 34 is located in the position shown in Fig. 5 and the cutter 26 is-in operating position. lVhen the forepart of theshoe sole is reached the ring 34 is shiftedinto the position shown in Fig. 4. During this movement of the ring a movement is imparted to the cutter shaft carriage which places the cutter 24 "in operating position. lVhen theshank of the .shoe is reached in trimming the last side of the shoe, the ring 34 is turned back to the position shown in Fig. 5 thereby bringing the cutter 26 back into operating position. The arms 36 on the frame may be relatively adjusted so that they will exert sufficient friction on the ring 34 to hold the same in adjusted position by means of an adjusting screw 42.

The jack for supporting .a lasted shoe comprises a spindle 44, a toe'supporting arm 46 rigid with the spindle and a heel sup porting arm 48 pivoted to thespindle; The spindle issupported at its lower end by devices which comprise a wheel 50 rotatably mounted on a stud 52 and connected with the spindle by a gimbal joint. The stud 52 issupported at the forward end of a yoke 54 pivoted to swing in avertical planeon a second yoke 56. The yoke 56 in turn is pivoted to swing in a horizontal plane on a link frame 58carried by and connecting the swinging arms 60 and 62. The forward end of the yoke 54 is held up yieldingly by means of a coiled spring 64. The force exerted by table 30 during the operation on the shoe 1 its and the shoe is table.

The shoe is held at all times. at the point of operation by the engagement ofthe table:

partially supported by the 30. in the crease between the upper of the 1 I spindle forwardly, rearwardly, and, laterally of the machine in horizontal. directions and lateral turning movements are imparted tothe shoe by devices acting on the jack spin dle to rotate the spindle. Because of the fact that the shoe is held at all: times at the point of operation. by the table 30, the tipping and turning movements imparted to the shoe are caused to take place about said table as a fulcrum.

The lower end of the spindle; is moved for- Wardly and rearwardly and laterally inopposite. directions to tipv the jack and the spindle is rotated to: turn the jack' through suitable connections: from a series of cams mounted on a shaft 66. which for convenience may be termed the pattern cam shaft;

Forward andv rearward movements are; im parted to the lower end of the jack spindle by: means of a. cam roll 68 mounted. on a lever 70pivota1ly connected with: the frame and to the arm 60 the roll; being arranged to engage a cam groove in a cam disc 72 mounted on. the pattern cam shaft 661 The connec tions for'moving the lower end ofthe spindle laterally from a cam on the cam, shaft 66 comprises a: bell: crank lever M, a link 76 connecting av depending: portion of the yoke 56 with the bell crank. lever, a lever 78-con.- nected. with-the bell. crank lever, and a: cam roll 80 arranged to engage a camgroove formed: in the underside of thecam disc 72. The mechanism for rotating the jack spindle comprises a cable- 82 passing: about the wheel; 50 and about a series, of guide rolls 84', 86, 88. and 90, a pivoted; segment 92 to which one end of the cable is secured and a weight 94: secured to the other end. of the cable. The swinging movements of thevsegment 92 are produced and controlled. by a cam lever 96 one arm of which is connected with the segment 92 by inter-meshing gear segments and the other arm of whichcarries a. cam roll 98 arranged to engage a peripheral cam on a cam disc 100 mounted on the cam shaft 66.

The ack spindle is acted upon by mechaotallay mounted at 106 on anxarm on. the

frame-of the machine and: it is constructed to extend upwardly from its: pivotal point to a point just below the work: table 30 sothat its upper end will engage theupperof the shoe.

The contour of the shoe which is engaged by the; gage 104; is somewhat irregular in out-line and to compensate for the irregularities in this outline as well as to compensate for certain-of the positioning movements which are impart-ed to the shoe and to cause awider projecting margin. to be left on thesole about the forepart: ofthe shoe than along the shank, mechanism is-provided for actu gging the gage from the pattern cam-shaft The. mechanism for actuating: the: gage 1 04 comprises-a rock shaft 108 mounted in bean mgsin the frame and an eccentric disc=1=10 secured to the shaft. and arranged to engage a downwardly extending: arm on the. gage. The is acted upon byspri'ng'112 which normally maintains the lower end thereof in contact with the eccentric: disc. The shaft 108 is rotated to. advance and cause the retraction of the gage by means of a; gear segment 11.4: secured to the roclii shaft and an intermeshing gearsegment 116 formed: on a swinging arm 118' secured. to a rock: shaft 120. On the rock shaft 120; is secured another arm 1 22 which carries: a: roll 124i engaging a contact face formed on the outer endof an; arm 126' secured to a' vertical shaft 128. To the shaft 128 is secured: a second arm 1.30 upon which is: mounted a cam roll engaginga. peripheral cam face" formed? on the cam disc 72." i

The mechanism for. actuating the; jack to feed theshoe pastthe operating tools comprises a feeding lever 132 and a bar 134 connecting the feeding lever with the forward end of the jack. During the. operation on the shoeqtheu lever-1'32 is swung toward the left as viewed in'Fig. 1 to actuatezthejaclrto,

feed: the marginal: portion of the shoe past theoperat-ing tool. The lever 132' pivoted at. 136L011 the frame is actuated bymechanism comprising alever 138' pivotally connected with the feeding lever; and pivotally supported bya hanger 140. The hanger in turn ispivotally supported; by a lever" 14-2 which will be hereinafter termed the fulcrum. car nying lever. The lever 1.38 is swung about the pivotal connectiombet-ween the hanger 140 and the fulcrum; carrying; lever to ac.-

tuate; the feeding lever during the: operation of, themachine bymechanism comprising a lever 144 connected with theilever 13 8, a bell crank cam lever 146, and alink 148 connect ing the cam lever with the lever 144;- The cam levercarries a cam roll 150 arranged to engage a cam on the cam disc 100.

To enable the mechanism for actuating the jack to feed the shoe to impart the proper feedingmovement to the jack for shoes of different sizes the mechanism is adjusted to accord with the size of the shoe placed in the machine. At the time when the shoe is placed in the machine the fulcrum carrying lever is unlocked and as the shoe is brought to the'correct position for starting the operation the said lever will be adjusted through the connections between said lever and the jack to a position depending upon the size of the shoe. The adjustment of the feeding lever thus produced will effect the proper adjustment of the fulcrum of the lever 138.

The driving mechanism for the machine comprises a driving shaft 152 upon which is mounted a fast pulley154 and a loose pulley 156. The driving shaft carries a bevel gear 158 which meshes with a bevel gear 160 mounted on the upper end of a vertical counter-shaftx162. Fined upon the countershaft is a disc carrying the driving member 1640f a friction clutch the driven member ofv'vhich, indicated at 166,is carried by a sleeve 168 loosely mounted on the counter-j shaft. The sleeve 168 also carries a spiral gear-170 meshing with a spiral gear on a horizontal counter-shaft 176. During the operation on the shoe the friction clutch is engaged and the counter-shaft 1761s driven at speed depending upon the speed of the driving shaft 152 The pattern cam shaft 66 is driven through a spiral gear 178 journaled on a shaft 180 and meshing with a spiral gear 182 secured to the upper end of the pattern cam shaft. The spiral gear 178 is driven through a clutch connection from a bevel; gear 184.

During the operation on the shoe the bevel gear 184 is driven through a train of gears 186, 188, 190, 192. and 194 from a sleeve 196.

The sleeve 196 is driven through suitable. varlable speed transmittlng mechanlsm from is elevated by the operator toen'g'age the members 164 and 166 of the main driving clutch and is held in elevated position by a latch; 'lVhen a point inthe operation of the machine on the shoe is reached at which the machine is to be stopped, this latch is re leased through suitable connections actuated from thepattern camshaft, themembers of the main drlving clutch are disengaged and the shaft 176 is stopped by suitable stopping devices. i

(see Figs. 9,10 and 11) comprises avi-' bratory carrier 206 upon whicharemounted the edge setting tools. The carrier 206 is secured to the forward end of a slide 208 mounted for forward and rearward movements in a guideway in a block210 pivoted onthe lower end of a vertical shaft 212 secured in a bracket 214 attached to a carriage216. The block 210 isheld in position onthe shaft212 by means of a bolt 218 upon the upper'end of which is threaded a nut 220;

Oscillator-y movements are imparted to the block 210 froma rotary shaft 222 joun naledin bearingsin'the carriage 216 through a pitman 224 pivotally connected at one end with an arm 226 onthe block 210 and carry ing at its other end an eccentric strap 228 surrounding an eccentric 230 formed on the lower-end ofthe shaft. The shaft 222 is driven through intermeshing spiral gears232 and 234 'froma horizontal shaft 236 which constitutes the main shaft-of the edge set-- ting head. The mainshaft 236 is journaled in bearingsformed on the carriage 216 and is driven from an electric motor'secured to said carriage. i I

Upon the forward end ofv the carrier 206 is mounted an edge setting tool 240 foroperating on the sole edge about the forepart of the shoe and an edge setting tool 242- for operating on the sole edge along theshank.

A longitudinally movable rod 244 is connected at its forward end by a universal joint with the carrier 206 and a coiled spring 246 surrounding the rodqis interposed between an'adjustable sleeve 248 threaded into the bracket 214 and a collar 250 secured to the rod.

The edge setting machine is provided with a work table or guide252 similar to the Work tableof the edge trimming machine arranged to engage in the crease between the upper and a projecting margin of the sole of a shoe. Thiswork table is secured to the machine frame and is arranged to eXtend in front of the tool which is in operating position.

To enable the setting tools 240 and 242 to be moved alternatively into operating position the carriage 216 is ecccntrically mount ed in a bearing in a rotatably adjustable supporting ring 254 which in turn is mounted to rotate in a hearing or race way formed by arms 256 on the machine frame. carriage 216 is pivotally connected 'withone end of-a pitman 258 to the oppositeend of which is secured an eccentric strap embracing an eccentric 260 secured to a rock shaft The 262 journaled in the frame of the machine. The ring 254 is rotatably adjusted by the rotation-of the rock shaft 262 through a con nection consisting of an arm 264 secured to the rock shaft and a link 266 connecting the arm with the ring 254. The rock shaft 262 is rotated manually to adjust the carriage 216. The mechanism for rotating the shaft comprises a gear 267 mounted on the shaft and a gear segment 268 secured to a second gear until the parts assume the position shown in Fig. 9 in which position the edge setting tool 240 is in engagement with the sole edge.

When the shank of the shoe is reached in setting the edge of the sole on the side of the shoe last operated upon the hand lever 276 is swung back to its original position to bring the shank tool 242 again into operation. The ring 254 is held in adjusted position by the friction exerted on the ring by r the arms 256.

The base of the edge setting machine is similar to that of the edge trimming machine and it will be seen from acomparison of Figs. 4 and 5 with Figs. 9 and 10 that the shoe is presented'to the operating tools in each machine so that the Working face of the setting tool is at the same angle to the sole surface as the trimming tool at corresponding points in the edge setting and edge trimming operations. This permits the edge setting tool which is in o eration to be vibrated in a fixed plane wit its working An arm 272 is secured to the shaft 27 0 face at a constant angle to said plane and to act therefore to the best advantage in finishing the edge surface in a uniform and satisfactory manner.

The invention having been thus described what is claimed is 1. The method of making shoes which comprises presenting a lasted shoe successively to an edge trimming tool and to an edge setting tool, and imparting relative tipping positioning movements to the shoe and tools as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe to present the working faces of the trimming and edge setting tools at the same angle to the sole surface at corresponding points in the operation of the tools.

2. The method of making shoes which comprises presenting a lasted shoe successively to an edge trimming tool and to an edge setting tool, guiding the shoe during each operation by engaging a guiding device with an outline on the shoe, and imparting relative tipping positioning movements to the shoe and tools as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe to present the working faces of the trimming and edge setting tools at the same angle to the sole surface at corresponding points in the operation of the tools.

3. The method of making shoes which comprises presenting a lasted shoe successively to an'edge trimming tool and to an edge setting tool guiding the shoe during each operation and imparting tipping positioning movements to the shoe as the point of operation is transferred about the shoe to present the working faces of the trimming and edge setting tools at the same angle to the sole surface at corresponding points in the operation of the tools.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

LAURENCE E. TOPHAM. 

